Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Barcelona
Encyclopedia
The Archdiocese of Barcelona is a Roman Catholic
ecclesiastical territory in southeastern Spain
and the metropolitan see
of the ecclesiastical province of Barcelona which includes the suffragan dioceses of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
and Terrassa.
The current Archbishop
of Barcelona
is Lluís Martínez Sistach
, appointed by Pope John Paul II
on 15 June 2004.
, to the very first Apostles, historical evidence seems to be undisputed from the third century onwards, when bishop Pretextat attended the Council of Sardica
in 343. During the Visigothic Kingdom
, Barcelona became one of the fourteen dioceses of the ecclesiastic province of Tarragona. After the Christian fall
in 712, a long sede vacante
was ended not before 850, when bishop Joan took office, and the diocese became subjugated to the Carolingian
See of Narbonne
.
During the Reconquista
, bishop Oleguer
was called to the archepiscopal see of Tarragona, which he took in 1017, though being granted to keep his Barcelonan see as well, reigning 1114–1137. Barcelona became suffragan to Tarragona once again, and stayed so for the following centuries. Its bishops got used to live in the pontifical or royal courts instead of the city, until bishop Jaume Caçador inducted reforms according to the Council of Trent
amidst the 16th century. Disregarding another year-lasting de facto sede vacante from 1808 to 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars
, Barcelona and its diocese kept on grewing richer and more powerful.
On 25 March 1964 Pope Paul VI
elevated the Diocese of Barcelona to the level of an Archdiocese. However, it has only had the status of a Metropolitan Archdiocese since 2004, when Pope John Paul II
dismembered its territory into the Archdiocese of Barcelona and the two new suffraganes of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
and Terrassa together with the appointment of Archbishop Sistach
.
states that “The See of Barcelona, unlike most very ancient sees, whose origins are obscure, has preserved catalogues of its bishops from Apostolic times, and although all the names given cannot be admitted as authentic, the greater number are handed down in all the catalogues.” The list includes:
In the twelfth century the diocese was restored by Ramon Berenguer
, Count of Barcelona.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
ecclesiastical territory in southeastern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the metropolitan see
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of the ecclesiastical province of Barcelona which includes the suffragan dioceses of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat is a diocese located in the city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat in the Ecclesiastical province of Barcelona in Spain.-History:...
and Terrassa.
The current Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
is Lluís Martínez Sistach
Lluís Martínez Sistach
Lluís Cardinal Martínez Sistach is the current Archbishop of Barcelona.Martínez Sistach is the son of Juan Martínez Puig, a commercial representative, and María Sistach Masllorens, a housewife; they had three children, two girls and Lluís; they resided in the neighborhood of Guinardó, where his...
, appointed by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on 15 June 2004.
History
While local tradition and catalogues date back the first bishop, San Eteri, considered a disciple of Saint James the GreatSaint James the Great
James, son of Zebedee was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle...
, to the very first Apostles, historical evidence seems to be undisputed from the third century onwards, when bishop Pretextat attended the Council of Sardica
Council of Sardica
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv is a Roman Catholic diocese of the Latin Rite, which includes the whole southern part of Bulgaria. The remainder of Bulgaria is comprised in the Diocese of Nicopoli. The seat of the episcopal see is in Plovdiv. The diocese is immediately subject of...
in 343. During the Visigothic Kingdom
Visigothic Kingdom
The Visigothic Kingdom was a kingdom which occupied southwestern France and the Iberian Peninsula from the 5th to 8th century AD. One of the Germanic successor states to the Western Roman Empire, it was originally created by the settlement of the Visigoths under King Wallia in the province of...
, Barcelona became one of the fourteen dioceses of the ecclesiastic province of Tarragona. After the Christian fall
Battle of Guadalete
The Battle of Guadalete was fought in 711 or 712 at an unidentified location between the Christian Visigoths of Hispania under their king, Roderic, and an invading force of Muslim Arabs and Berbers under Ṭāriq ibn Ziyad. The battle was significant as the culmination of a series of Arab-Berber...
in 712, a long sede vacante
Sede vacante
Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church...
was ended not before 850, when bishop Joan took office, and the diocese became subjugated to the Carolingian
Carolingian Empire
Carolingian Empire is a historiographical term which has been used to refer to the realm of the Franks under the Carolingian dynasty in the Early Middle Ages. This dynasty is seen as the founders of France and Germany, and its beginning date is based on the crowning of Charlemagne, or Charles the...
See of Narbonne
Ancient Diocese of Narbonne
The former Catholic diocese of Narbonne existed from early Christian times until the French Revolution. It was an archdiocese, with its see at Narbonne, from the year 445, and its influence ran over much of south-western France and into Catalonia. Diminished by the creation of other dioceses in...
.
During the Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
, bishop Oleguer
Olegarius
Saint Olegarius Bonestruga was the Bishop of Barcelona from 1116 and Archbishop of Tarragona from 1118 until his death...
was called to the archepiscopal see of Tarragona, which he took in 1017, though being granted to keep his Barcelonan see as well, reigning 1114–1137. Barcelona became suffragan to Tarragona once again, and stayed so for the following centuries. Its bishops got used to live in the pontifical or royal courts instead of the city, until bishop Jaume Caçador inducted reforms according to the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
amidst the 16th century. Disregarding another year-lasting de facto sede vacante from 1808 to 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, Barcelona and its diocese kept on grewing richer and more powerful.
On 25 March 1964 Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
elevated the Diocese of Barcelona to the level of an Archdiocese. However, it has only had the status of a Metropolitan Archdiocese since 2004, when Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
dismembered its territory into the Archdiocese of Barcelona and the two new suffraganes of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat is a diocese located in the city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat in the Ecclesiastical province of Barcelona in Spain.-History:...
and Terrassa together with the appointment of Archbishop Sistach
Lluís Martínez Sistach
Lluís Cardinal Martínez Sistach is the current Archbishop of Barcelona.Martínez Sistach is the son of Juan Martínez Puig, a commercial representative, and María Sistach Masllorens, a housewife; they had three children, two girls and Lluís; they resided in the neighborhood of Guinardó, where his...
.
Earliest bishops according to local tradition
The Catholic EncyclopediaCatholic Encyclopedia
The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...
states that “The See of Barcelona, unlike most very ancient sees, whose origins are obscure, has preserved catalogues of its bishops from Apostolic times, and although all the names given cannot be admitted as authentic, the greater number are handed down in all the catalogues.” The list includes:
- Eterius (San Eteri) (considered a disciple of Saint James the GreatSaint James the GreatJames, son of Zebedee was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle...
, 37 AD) - Saint Theodosius (San Teodosi) (94 AD)
- Aulus Victor (Aulo Víctor) (139 AD)
- Actius
- Theolycus (Teolicus)
- Alexander I (Alexandre I)
- Lucius (Luci)
- Totxa
- Deodatus I (Deodat I)
- Theodoric (Teodoric)
- Deodatus II (Deodat II)
- Peneguardus (Peneguardo)
- Pusio
- Alexander II (Alexandre II)
- Albert
- Armengald
- Gandimar
- William (Guillem)
- St. SeverusSeverus of BarcelonaSeverus of Barcelona is venerated as a saint by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. His legend states that he was a bishop of Barcelona and was martyred during the persecution of Christians by Diocletian in AD 304...
(San(t) Sever) (c. 290–304). A native of the city, martyr of the DiocletianDiocletianDiocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
persecution.
Early bishops (for whom documentation exists)
- Praetextatus (Pretextat) (c. 347), the first recorded bishop, who attended a council at Sardica in 347.
- St. Pacianus (Sant Pacià) (360–390) (mentioned in Jerome'sSaint JeromeSaint Jerome is a Christian church father, best known for translating the Bible into Latin.Saint Jerome may also refer to:*Jerome of Pavia , Bishop of Pavia...
De Viris IllustribusDe Viris Illustribus (Jerome)De viris illustribus is a collection of short biographies of 135 authors, written in Latin, by the 4th century Latin Church Father Jerome. He completed this work at Bethlehem in 392-3 CE. The work consists of a prologue plus 135 chapters, each consisting of a brief biography. Jerome himself is...
) - LampiusLampiusLampius was bishop of Barcelona from 393 to 400 AD. He is best remembered for being responsible for the ordination of Saint Paulinus of Nola on Christmas, 393 AD, in the cathedral of Barcelona. He also attended the First Council of Toledo....
(Lampi, Lampio) (393–400) - Sigesari (c. 415)
- Nundinari (c. 450–463)
- Ireneus (Ireneu) (c. 463–465)
- Berengari
- Agrici (after 516)
- St. Nebridius (Nebridi) (c. 540)
- Paternus (Patern) (c. 546).
- Ugno (c. 589–599)
- Emila (c. 610–633)
- Severus II (Sever II) (c. 633–636)
- Oia (c. 636–638)
- Quiricus (Quirze) (c. 640–666), later bishop of Toledo
- Idalaci (c. 667–689)
- Laülf (c. 689–702)
Medieval Period
Ramon Berenguer I, Count of Barcelona
Ramon Berenguer I the Old was Count of Barcelona in 1035–1076. He promulgated the earliest versions of a written code of Catalan law, the Usages of Barcelona....
, Count of Barcelona.
- John (Joan) (around 850)
- Ataulfus (Ataülf) (c. 850–860).
- Frodoí (c. 861–890).
- Theodoric (Teodoric) (c. 904–937).
- Guilara (c. 937–959).
- Pere (c. 962–973)
- Vives (974–995)
- AeciAeciAeci , Bishop of Barcelona from 995, was a warrior-prelate in the age of the Peace and Truce of God. Besides military endeavours, mainly reconquista , his episcopate was taken up with the repoblación of the Penedès in the south of the diocese, on the frontier with al-Andalus.In 997 Aeci, as...
(995–1010) - Deusdat (1010–1029)
- Guadall Domnuç (1029–1035)
- Guislabert (1035–1062)
- Berenguer (1062–1069)
- Humbert (Umbert) (1069–1085).
- Bertram (Bertran) (1086–1096).
- Fulk II of Cardona (Folc II de Cardona) (1096–1099)
- Berenguer Bernat (1100–1106).
- Ramon Guillem (1107–1114).
- St. OlegariusOlegariusSaint Olegarius Bonestruga was the Bishop of Barcelona from 1116 and Archbishop of Tarragona from 1118 until his death...
(Sant Oleguer) (1114–1137). - Arnau Ermengol (1137–1143)
- Guillem de Torroja (1144–1171)
- Bernat de Berga (1172–1188)
- Ramon de Castellvell (1189–1199)
- Berenguer de Palou I (1200–1206)
- Pere de Cirac (1208–1211)
- Berenguer de Palou IIBerenguer de Palou IIBerenguer de Palou II was bishop of Barcelona from 1212 to 1241. He was a major supporter of James I of Aragon.He began his career as a canon priest in Barcelona Cathedral during the episcopate of his uncle Berenguer de Palou I...
(1212–1241)
- Pere de Centelles (1241–1252)
- Arnau de GurbArnau de GurbArnau de Gurb was bishop of Barcelona from 1252 to 1284. He had served as a canon at the cathedral of Vic and later as primary archdeacon in Barcelona. As bishop, he expanded the episcopal palace, and built the Chapel of Santa Llúcia in the cathedral of Barcelona...
(Arnoldo de Guerbo) (1252–1284) - Guerau de Gualba (1284–1285)
- Bernat Pelegrí (1288–1300)
- Pontius de Gualba (Ponç de Gualba) (1303–1334)
- Ferrer d'Abella (1335–1344)
- Bernat Oliver (1345–1346)
- Miguel de Ricomá (1346–1361)
- Guillem de Torrelles (1361–1369)
- Berenguer d’Erill (1369–1371)
- Pere de Planelles
- Ramon d’Escales (1386–1398)
- Joan Armengol (1389–1408)
- Francesc de Blanes (1409–1410)
- Francesc Climent (Sapera)
- Andreu Bertrán (1416–1420; 1431–1433)
- Simó Salvador (1433–1445)
- Jaume Girard (1445–1456)
- Juan Soler (1456–1463)
- Fra Juan Jiménez Cerdá (1465–1472)
- Rodrigo Borgia (Rodrigo de Borja) (1472–1478)
- Gonzalo Fernández de Heredia (1478–1490)
- Pere García (1490–1505)
List of Bishops and Archbishops of Barcelona since 1505
- Enric de Cardona Enríquez (18 April 1505 – 23 January 1512)
- Martín García (bishop) (27 August 1511 – 7 March 1521)
- Guillem Ramon de Vic (1521–1525), (coadjutor 1519–1521)
- Silvio Passarino (1525–1529)
- Luis Cardona (27 August 1529 – 23 January 1531)
- Joan de Cardona (15 February 1531 – 1 February 1546)
- Jaume Caçador (17 May 1546 – 4 June 1561 Died)
- Guillem Caçador (4 June 1561 – 13 November 1570)
- Martín Martínez de Villar (3 March 1573 – 14 December 1575)
- Joan Dimas Loris (4 July 1576 – 8 August 1598)
- Ildefons Coloma i de Melo (27 September 1599 – 13 January 1603)
- Rafael de Rovirola (18 February 1604 – 12 October 1609)
- Joan de MoncadaJuan de MoncadaJuan de Moncada was a Roman Catholic clergyman in Spain in the 17th century. He was born in Valencia. For some time prior to May, 1612 de Moncada served as Bishop of Barcelona. In that month he was appointed Archbishop of Tarragona and primate of northeast Spain...
(22 March 1610 – 30 July 1612) - Lluís Sans Codol (20 August 1612 – 23 February 1620)
- Joan Sentís (20 July 1620 – 7 October 1632)
- García Gil Manrique (28 November 1633–1655)
- Ramon de Sentmenat i de Lanuza (25 October 1655 – 11 February 1663)
- Ildefons de Sotomayor (1664–1682)
- Benedicto Ignacio de Salazar (1683–1691)
- Manuel de Alba (1693–1697)
- Benet de Sala i de Caramany (1698–1715).
- Diego Astorga Cespedes (30 March 1716 – 22 July 1720)
- Andrés de Orbe y LarreáteguiAndrés de Orbe y LarreateguiAndrés de Orbe y Larreategui was the Grand Inquisitor of Spain in 1733-1740, during the reign of Philip V of Spain. Afterwards, he held the nunciature in Spain as a representative of the Roman Catholic Popes....
(24 August 1720 – 10 April 1725) - Bernardo Ximénez de Cascante (11 June 1725 – 13 December 1730)
- Gaspar de Molina y Oviedo (28 June 1731 – 5 May 1734)
- Felipe Aguado Requejo (30 August 1734 – 3 November 1737)
- Francisco Castillo Vintimilla (1738 – 31 July 1747)
- Francisco Díaz Santos y Bullon (1 April 1748 – 25 May 1750)
- Manuel López Aguirre (22 July 1750 – 7 February 1754)
- Asensio Sales (16 December 1754 – 17 January 1766)
- Josep Climent Avinent (21 July 1766 – 16 August 1775)
- Gabino Valladares Mejia (11 September 1775 – 13 February 1794)
- Eustaquio Azara (12 September 1794 – 24 June 1797)
- Pere Díaz de Valdes (14 September 1798 – 15 November 1807 )
- Pau de Sitjar Ruata (16 March 1808 – 21 August 1831)
- Pedro Martínez San Martin (20 December 1832 – 24 March 1849)
- Josep-Domènec Costa Borràs (7 January 1850 – 3 August 1857)
- Antoni Palau Térmens (25 September 1857 – 8 July 1862 )
- Pantaleón Montserrat Navarro (1 October 1863 – 21 July 1870)
- Joaquim Lluch i Garriga (16 January 1874 Appointed - 22 June 1877)
- José María de Urquinaona y VidotJosé María de Urquinaona y VidotJosé María Urquinaona y Bidot was a bishop of Barcelona. Born in Cádiz, he was presented at the First Vatican Council as secretary of the bishops from Spain. In 1878, he was made bishop of Barcelona. The Plaça Urquinaona is named after him....
(15 July 1878 – 31 March 1883) - Jaume Català i Albosa (9 August 1883 – 1 March 1899)
- Josep Morgades i Gili (19 June 1899 – 8 January 1901)
- Salvador Casañas i Pagès (19 April 1901 – 27 October 1908 )
- Juan José Laguarda y Fenollera (29 April 1909 – 4 December 1913 )
- Enrique Reig y Casanova (28 May 1914 – 22 April 1920)
- Ramon Guillamet i Coma (22 April 1920 – 14 April 1926)
- Josep Miralles y Sbert (14 April 1926 – 23 December 1947)
- Manuel Irurita Almándoz (13 March 1930 – 3 December 1936)
- Gregorio Modrego y Casaus (30 December 1942 – 7 January 1967), first Archbishop of Barcelona
- Marcelo Gonzalez Martin (7 January 1967 – 3 December 1971)
- Narcís Jubany ArnauNarcís Jubany ArnauNarcís Jubany Arnau was an Spanish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Barcelona from 1971 to 1993, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1973.-Biography:...
(3 December 1971 – 23 March 1990 ) - Ricardo María Carles Gordó (23 March 1990 – 15 June 2004 )
- Lluís Martínez SistachLluís Martínez SistachLluís Cardinal Martínez Sistach is the current Archbishop of Barcelona.Martínez Sistach is the son of Juan Martínez Puig, a commercial representative, and María Sistach Masllorens, a housewife; they had three children, two girls and Lluís; they resided in the neighborhood of Guinardó, where his...
(15 June 2004 – Present), first Metropolitan Archbishop
Suffragan dioceses
- Sant Feliu de LlobregatRoman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de LlobregatThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Sant Feliu de Llobregat is a diocese located in the city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat in the Ecclesiastical province of Barcelona in Spain.-History:...
- Terrassa